A Rengma Naga child sleeps in her mother’s arms at a relief camp for displaced Rengma Nagas at Chokhihola village, under Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Tuesday. (Photo by Caisii Mao)
Rengma Hoho to safeguard and protect traditional boundary
DIMAPUR, JUNE 20 (MExN): Apex bodies of the Rengma Nagas have demanded that the ultimatum served to the Western Rengmas by the Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger should be withdrawn immediately. The Rengma Hoho, the Council of Rengma Baptist Churches and the Rengma Mothers Association have objected to the ultimatum which demands -Rengma Nagas in Assam to either accept the identity of the Karbis or leave the Rengma Hills before July 9.
The Rengma Hoho in a general meeting at Tetso College, Dimapur on June 20 deliberated on the issue. A press note by the President of the Rengma Hoho, Sawathang Kez Seb and its General Secretary, John Semy informed that a co-ordination committee consisting of nine members has been set up to “safeguard and protect the traditional boundary and culture of the Rengmas.” It stated that the committee would “look towards resolving instances where Rengmas are discriminated.” It added that the committee has been “endorsed by all Rengma civil society.” The Rengma Hoho further expressed gratitude to all individuals and organizations that have extended their support towards the Rengmas in Assam, “who are facing atrocities from the hand of Karbi Militants.”
The Council of Rengma Baptist Churches in a separate press note expressed shock and dismay over “the self-serving inhumane act of assimilation in the wake of the internal displacement of Rengma people in Assam.” CRBC executive secretary, Rev Tenga Seb in a press release informed that in order to assess the situation, the CRBC visited the displaced Rengma people on June 18 in Assam and had consulted with the Karbi church leaders, social workers, and the leaders of the Western Rengma Baptist Association.
The meeting resolved to continue working for permanent peaceful co-existence between the two communities and resolved to ask the KPLT to withdraw the ultimatum. The Council alleged that the Assam government has long neglected even basic developmental activities in the Rengma region. It added that “the KPLT has been involved in extortion and imposing heavy taxes—not even sparing charitable organization like the church; and even directly violating a person’s dignity and human rights.”
In spite of the prevailing situation, the CRBC acknowledged that the Rengma people have been living in their ancestral land— the Rengma Hills, in peaceful co-existence with the Ahoms and the Karbis. The CRBC appealed for all Karbi and Rengma people to exercise restraint and work together to protect and preserve that same spirit of brotherhood and to restore peace. The CRBC expressed hope that all right thinking citizens, frontal humanitarian organizations and the concerned government continue to work together in condemning and curbing any unconstitutional element and protect all its citizens in general and the Rengma people of Assam, in particular.
The Rengma Mother’s Association in a press note issued by its President, Kelesha Kath appealed to the authority concerned to set an inquiry and compensate the “loss and suffering of the people.” The RMA expressed shock and said that their sentiments have been hurt severely. While stating that Rengmas are a peace loving community by nature, it added that the Rengmas are “often threatened, intimidated and deprived of even the basic needs like roads, education, medical, electricity etc.”
